A
perfect balance between a
highly creative career, a
marriage to a Frenchman, raising
a daughter. Meet
one of Punes famous
artists, Sujata Bajaj Larsen.
The soft-spoken Sujata Bajaj
was born in Jaipur. Her parents
recognized her budding talent
at a young age. Her mother
who was her teacher, friend
and counselor taught her,
"Not to take part to
win, but also learn and have
fun while doing so."
After her high school in Jaipur,
she moved in with her brother
and his wife to Pune and joined
the SNDT College. Her Bachelors
and Masters in Arts
and Painting she had her first
show at the Bal Gandharva
Art Gallery in 1978. At that
time, people were just picking
up to the idea of art. She
got a good response in Pune.
Sujata feels very indebted
to this city and is proud
to be known as an artist from
Pune. At one of her earlier
exhibitions, Sujata met and
made a friend in the renowned
painter- S.H.Raza who till
date continues to be her biggest
ally. Mr. Raza was the one
who introduced her to the
idea of going to Paris to
learn about the French Art
World. Sujata was then awarded
an invitation scholarship
to France by the French Government.
In Paris she enrolled at the
ECOLE NATIONALE SUPERIEUR
DES BEAUX - ARTS, Paris and
worked at Studio Claude Viseux.
She was introduced to a fascinating
world, which comprised of
hundreds of books, people
in the art world and initially
helped her find expression.

..

Her
years in Paris have been an
on-going learning process. About
her spate of exhibitions in
Europe, Sujata being the self
 effacing and unassuming
person she is, says with a quiet
smile that it was well received.
It is rather a gross under-statement
going by the accolades that
she received there and by the
numerous admirers of her work
over the years - one of them
being Monsieur Jeane Claude
Carriere who continues to take
a keen interest in her work.
Having soaked in life in its
entire splendor, Sujata couldnt
be more pleased with it. She
is very fortunate to have her
parents support and love.
Her marriage to Rune Jul Larsen,
an educationist and a linguist
is based on total commitment,
deep respect for each other
and a healthy breathing space.
He understands her through her
work and vice-versa. Sujatas
greatest creation is Helena,
her precious little daughter.
Sujata has no intentions of
foisting her decisions on her
daughter and would rather that
Helena follow her own destiny.
About the art scene in India,
Sujata is rather hesitant to
comment. But believes that there
are good contemporary artists
here in India.Sujata is a strong
advocate of living in the present.
And from the looks of it, her
present is a perfect harmony
of colours, which can best be
described as a journey with
a vision.